— Written by Lyle Jarvis

A Long History of Disparities 📚️ 

Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the US. Unfortunately, racism, racist practices and systems, and oppression of marginalized communities did not end on June 19,1865. In fact, climate change is inherently racist— demonstrated in things like disproportionate exposure to pollution, and less access to adaptation and relief, shaped by injustices in housing, infrastructure and more.  And while we can’t contribute lived experience to the telling of this story, we think it’s critical that we share it (for an introduction on what environmental racism means, check out this article by Maudlyne Ihejirika).

We can try to understand the challenges, find the information, or offer the statistics (which you’ll find below). But most importantly, we think anyone can help to amplify this story, and we’re committed to doing just that. So before we dive in to this week’s newsletter, we wanted to start by sharing a few other resources to check out:

- Dr. Robert Bullard, dubbed the “Father of Environmental Justice” has written a whole host of books on equal protection for environmental justice rights, published articles, and more.

- Leah Thomas, writer of the book Intersectional Environmentalist, founder of the non-profit, and featured in our 2022 Climate Creators to Watch List has taken to Instagram with hundreds of resources to help young people become more informed and inspired on the injustices of climate change’s impacts. Check out an interview with Leah here!

- Hip Hop Caucus works to mobilize and organize communities of color to fight for racial, climate, and economic justice

- Jacqueline Patterson is the Founder and Executive Director of the Chisholm Legacy Project: A Resource Hub for Black Frontline Climate Justice Leadership. She's also former director of the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program. Last year, she was interviewed on “Localizing Environmental Justice.” You can watch it here!

- Looking for more must-haves on your social feed? Here are 19 BIPOC Farmers & Environmentalists to get started!

A Look at The Numbers 🔢 

The health impacts of climate change are not experienced equally. Environmental justice advocates warn that in the U.S., communities of color, Indigenous peoples, and low-income families and children are proven to be more vulnerable to a changing climate, and have fewer resources to protect themselves against it.

According to the EPA, black people are 40% more likely to live in areas with the highest projected increases in mortality rates due to changes in extreme temperatures. Black communities take longer to recover from climate-fueled weather disasters, and they’re less likely to relocate to more insulated areas – a primary reason being they receive an estimated 10% less recovery aid.

According to the National Institute of Health, when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, racially and economically segregated areas bore the brunt of the disaster. In fact, government records show that of the seven ZIP codes that suffered the costliest flood damage from Katrina, four of them had populations that were at least 75% Black.

Years later, when Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, black neighborhoods were disproportionately damaged.

The Double (Triple?) Jeopardy 📉 

Climate impacts go beyond just weather disasters. Black communities in the U.S. are significantly more likely to live near coal-fired power plants and other polluting industrial sites. In fact, 68% live within 30 miles of a coal-fired power plant, compared to just 56% of whites. This is a result of decades of discriminatory zoning laws, redlining, and environmental racism. 

These plants release harmful pollutants like sulfur dioxide and particulate matter, which contribute to nasty health conditions like asthma and heart disease. At the same time, these same communities often face systemic barriers to healthcare access, like underfunded hospitals, fewer healthcare providers, or a lack of insurance. This dangerous overlap of high pollution and limited medical support creates a compounding public health crisis, disproportionately burdening Black America and highlighting the urgent need for reform.

Turning Awareness into Action 📈 

Understanding the intersection of climate change and racial injustice is critical for developing solutions for everyone. By acknowledging and addressing these disparities, we can work towards a more just and resilient future.

Across the globe, we’re keeping watch on efforts to specifically tackle the racial injustices of the climate crisis. Canada passed a bill centered uniquely around environmental racism, but in the U.S., our leadership is still lacking on this issue.

In 2023, The A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice For All Act (S.919/H.R.1705) was reintroduced in the 118th Congress, addressing the prevalence of toxic waste sites and heavy polluting fossil fuel infrastructure near marginalized communities. However, the bill hasn’t been signed into law.

On a personal level, amplifying the conversation around environmental racism can make a huge difference. Not only are you educating your friends and neighbors, but it helps urge your local leaders to push for zoning reforms, climate plans with an equity lens, and community input on land use decisions. You can also help by:

• Shop from BIPOC-owned businesses and farms in environmentally burdened areas.

• Show up: Attend town halls, protests, or community meetings where environmental injustices are being discussed.

• Vote with environmental justice in mind! Support candidates and policies that prioritize environmental justice, public health, and climate resilience. Advocate for reforms like stronger clean air and water protections, enforcement of polluter accountability, and investment in underserved areas.

We’re moving. But not going anywhere! 🚚 📦

By the end of the month, Pique Behind the Curtain will be moving to Substack! But don’t worry, you’ll still find us in your inbox just like usual, at the same time each week. Nothing changes on your end (except maybe a smoother reading experience), just keep your eyes peeled for the new look!

What We’re Watching 🎥, Reading 📚, and Listening to 🎧

🎧 Speaking of the Hip Hop Caucus, we’re looking back on the latest season of their podcast, The Coolest Show. Hosted by Rev Yearwood, this series links Black culture to climate justice through things like urban greening, Cancer Alley’s petrochemical harms, artivism, legislative efforts and more.

📚 And So I Roar, by Abi Daré - winner of the inaugural Climate fiction prize! This novel is a climate fiction sequel set in rural Nigeria, exploring how environmental collapse intersects with gender, community resilience, and inequality.

🎥 Mossville: When Great Trees Fall - follows Stacey Ryan, a lifelong resident of Mossville, Louisiana, a historically Black community uprooted by petrochemical expansion. It's a powerful, deeply personal story of environmental racism in "Cancer Alley" - available free on Tubi!